With Mansur silent, the two federal guards gripped his arms forcefully, handcuffing him and placing a parka over his head. As he left the minimum-security facility, the VG team just stared at him.
“What now?” asked Sophia Ann.
“Now, we go home, and the team is going to have to put together a manhunt of epic proportions. If I had to guess, they’re going through traffic cameras from Lexington and continuing westward,” said Carl. Georgie kissed her husband’s cheek, nodding.
“Let’s go home.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Why do you have to leave?” asked Khloe, watching as Jonas packed his bag.
“Because I love you, and I want to protect you. The only way for me to do that is to get out there and find him. We’ve got good leads on where he might be headed, and he won’t have his father to help him any longer.”
“What happened to him?” she asked warily.
“He’s alive,” smiled Jonas. “I recognize that he was just trying to protect his son, but this is not something he can protect him from. He’s been moved to a federal prison and is placed in solitary. More charges are pending for aiding a fugitive.”
“Well, I can’t say that I’m surprised, but I think it’s all sad. Your wife and children, and now all of their lives will be lost as well.”
“Yes, but they’ll be alive,” said Jonas with a sharp tone.
“Jonas, I’m sorry. I meant nothing by that. I only meant to say that this affects more than just one person.” Jonas took a deep breath and nodded.
“I know. I know, and I know you meant nothing by it. This is how things always happen. People who cheat, lie, commit crimes, they all believe that it doesn’t affect everyone else, but the sad truth of it is, the ripples go further than we believe.”
She nodded, wrapping her arms around his waist and holding on for dear life. He stopped what he was doing to lift her in his arms and took a seat on the sofa.
“I’ll be fine,” he whispered. “The technology that the team has is unsurpassed.”
“You’re not bulletproof,” she frowned. Jonas chuckled, shaking his head.
“Well, not technically, but they have these stealth net vests that work to protect all of us from potential bullet wounds. We’ll be bruised, definitely sore, but we won’t die.”
“Like a bulletproof vest?” she frowned.
“Something like that,” he smiled. “No matter what, I will come back to you, Khloe. We have a life to live together, and I want to start it right away. Marriage, kids, picket fence, all of it.”
“I think we already have the picket fence,” she grinned. “But. Kids and marriage sound like the perfect pairing. I’d like to get practicing on the kids right away.”
“Baby, we will be practicing morning, noon, and night when I return,” he said, sliding a hand up her thigh. A low, rumbling growl emanated from his chest, and she giggled at the sound and feel of it. Kissing her, he stood and zipped his bag.
“I love you,” she smiled.
“I love you more. I know that you will, but please do everything they tell you to do here, okay? Don’t go to the clinic unless someone is with you.”
“I have been charged to help with her,” said the ghost Archibald, appearing beside them. They both jumped, gripping their chests. “My apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you. Eagle Feather, I, and Tony will be watching over your woman while you are away.”
“Is that possible?” she asked, frowning. “I don’t mean to disbelieve you, but can you hurt someone or stop someone if necessary?”
“We have discovered many new things we can do thanks to this magical place,” smiled the captain. “I will protect you with every fiber of my being.”
“As will I,” said Eagle Feather, suddenly appearing.
“I’m still getting used to this,” grinned Jonas. “Do as they say, and I’ll see you soon.”
Khloe followed him onto the porch, watching as he left with a dozen other men. Georgie and the girls would be returning, while Carl, Aiden, and Ham met the others on the road. She watched as they loaded into the SUVs to meet Doug and Chipper at the airstrip.
“That’s a lot of men,” she whispered.
